Bureh Town chief cries for justice

The man who emerged as Village Headman for Bureh Town in the Freetown peninsular has been denied by government from taking over his “rightful position because I was not their favoured candidate during the election”. Michael Tucker told Politico that he had been humiliated in the sight of his people because the man he alleged the APC party favoured in the 29 June 2013 election, the incumbent Gibrilla Bendu was disqualified by the National Electoral Commission on 15 June after an appeal against him was upheld because he had a criminal record. Politico has documents confirming that. After he had gone unopposed, as the only remaining candidate, NEC wrote to Tucker on 3 July duly notifying him as the “successful candidate”. In a letter signed by the Chief Administrator of the Western Area Rural District Council, Tamba Allieu, Tucker was invited to an inauguration ceremony that took place on 12 September at Waterloo. He told Politico that when he arrived there they shoved him aside refusing to give him his certificate or inaugurate him. The village headman-elect has referred to this as “daylight robbery” and “a gross violation” of his constitutional right just to appease the disqualified candidate whom he said was close to the seat of power. Tucker said that last week again, an official from the ministry of local government went to Bureh Town and appointed a caretaker administration comprising religious leaders “just to deny me my right to lead my people”. Politico made efforts for days to reach the Minister of Local Government, Diana Konomanyi-Kabbah but could not reach her. The National Electoral Commission has certified as true the election of Michael Tucker as Village Headman of Bureh Town. The spokesman of the Commission, Albert Massaquoi has confirmed this to Politico. (C) Politico 24/09/13